Downtown Milton, Florida is a Nationally Registered Historic District and the ninth oldest city in the state. This small historic district is rich in architectural styles from all eras and is a window on Florida's past that is quickly disappearing. Today, the main road through the historic district is endanger of being four-laned as a means to move more traffic through an already dense and culturally sensitive area. The four-lane would necessitate destruction of at least one historic building from 1877, negatively impact several others, and destroy the character of the downtown. The greatest hope for the City of Milton is its charming downtown overlooking the Blackwater River....and yet, while other cities have embraced historic preservation as an economic driver and fully revitalized their downtowns - restoration projects and investment in Milton have been stunted by the looming uncertainty as to how the FDOT is going to handle the traffic issue on Highway 90. This year the FDOT will continue its PD&E study to look at all possible solutions to the traffic issue - both four-laning, as well as a southern alternate that would take motorists seeking a faster route just south of downtown, sparing the district. Tell the FDOT you want them to build a southern alternate and save downtown from four-laning or destructive one-way pairs. We need local politicians to also stand up and defend one of the area's greatest assets and tell the FDOT they too favor a southern alternate. A thriving downtown with restaurants, shopping, and cultural events would attract tourists, potential new residents and businesses. Destroying the very thing that sets us apart would be detrimental to any future growth and economic development. Milton does not need wider roads and more traffic. We want motorists to slow down and stop to get a bite to eat or shop in the local antique stores. Saving downtown does not just mean saving our past, it means investing in the brightest future for our beloved little city.